Malawi Police in Zomba on Thursday arrested Peter Sapanga (35) for allegedly demonstrating on January 17 without seeking permission from the authorities.

Eastern Region Police spokesperson Thomeck Nyaude said the suspect is a businessperson in Zomba City and allegedly took to the streets to demonstrate while holding a placard written “Stop kwacha floatation, automatic fuel pricing, kuyendayenda ndi kulongolora.”

In the commercial city Blantyre, northern city of Mzuzu and the administrative capital Lilongwe, concerned consumers presented a petition to authorities, protesting hardships created by current economic reforms.

Consumers Association of Malawi (Cama) sanctioned nationwide demonstrations and consumers are seeking a redress to ease the pain.

Demonstrators elsewhere showing one of the placards…Photo Jeromy Kadewere

But Police in Zomba said they were not informed of a demonstration in the old capital.

Said the police spokesperson: “Nobody in Zomba and the whole Eastern Region sought permission to hold demonstrations on January 17.”

He added: “ The District Commissioner, the Chief Executive Officer and the police got
no communication on the demonstrations from the organisers in Zomba. So, we warned the people that anybody doing the contrary will be arrested and charged.”

He added that the suspect is going to answer charges of conduct likely to cause breach of peace which is contrary to Section 181 of the Penal Code.